Orso Activewear: Toronto Startup Diverts Plastic Waste Away From Our Oceans

"We aspire to build a brand that is socially accountable and trusted, ensuring that every piece of clothing you wear has a net positive impact on the environment and makes you feel good inside and out," said Maria Rossi, co-founder of Orso Activewear. "From how we source our fibres to how we treat workers in our supply chain, we want our customers to see exactly what goes into every garment."

A Canadian Brand with Global Impact



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Proudly Canadian-owned and operated, Orso Activewear is headquartered in Toronto but designed with a global ocean in mind. Through a partnership with CleanHub, the company helps fund waste collection programs in coastal regions of Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, where plastic pollution and ghost nets are a daily reality. These initiatives intercept ocean-bound waste before it enters the water, while also creating fair jobs in underserved communities.

"Over 2 billion people worldwide dispose of their waste in nature due to a lack of collection services. We're taking action by joining forces with CleanHub to bring proper waste collection to coastal regions where it's needed most," notes co-founder Daniel Lee.

Orso Activewear has set a goal to collect more than 26,000 pounds of ocean waste by the end of 2026 -the equivalent of over 560,000 plastic bottles. As of 2025, the brand has already surpassed 14,500 pounds collected, putting it well on track to reach its target. Many of these collection roles are filled by women in developing communities, pairing environmental restoration with economic opportunity.

From Ocean to Wardrobe

Behind every pair of leggings or bra is a multi-step process that turns ghost nets into premium textiles. Discarded fishing nets are collected, cleaned, and broken down before being processed into 100% recycled nylon pellets. These pellets are then extruded and spun into high-quality yarns that are softer, stronger, and more flexible than conventional polyester used in much of today's activewear.

By using existing nylon rather than virgin materials, Orso Activewear significantly cuts its resource footprint. Producing leggings from recycled yarns can save up to 70% of the water and carbon emissions typically required for traditional synthetic fabrics. Conventional legging production can use around 750 litres of water per pair; Orso's recycled approach helps bring that number down and keeps plastic out of landfills and oceans.

A Transparent Supply Chain